Why School Anyway?
With all the stress involved in figuring out where to go to college and what kind of career to pursue, it’s easy to ask, “What’s the point?” And although the popular wisdom of the day tells you to graduate with some kind of degree, not everyone agrees what form that should take—or whether you should even pursue it at all. So we pull together different viewpoints and relevant research to help you better understand the issues and find your own way through the clutter.
Career College Scapegoating Keeps Student Potential in Detention
Something is wrong in the world of post-secondary learning. If you’ve been paying attention to mainstream media outlets or well-publicized hearings in Washington, D.C. lately, you probably know where the blame is being placed. For-profit institutions of higher education—also known as proprietary career colleges, technical institutes and business universities—are under the spotlight due to the shameful practices of a few schools. But lost amidst all the lambasting of the entire for-profit college sector is any meaningful acknowledgment that many traditional colleges and universities are also exhibiting disgraceful conduct and questionable student outcomes. Are journalists and lawmakers missing the bigger picture?
Why it can be so dreadfully difficult to make good decisions about your college education
Everyone knows it’s good to have lots of options. But, what if everybody is wrong? What if our assumption that more choice is always better is actually doing us harm? A growing body of research suggests that our ability to make decisions is damaged when the number of available choices exceeds more than a simple handful. If you’re trying to choose a salad dressing, that might be no big deal. But what if you have a life-altering decision to make? Few occasions feel as hugely important as choosing a college and course of study. The stress caused by trying to choose the “right” school or career from an endless sea of options can be paralyzing, or worse.
Why I left a big university for a shot at social sanity
Universities promise the chance to meet new people, make lifelong friends and learn wonderful things in an environment that supports everyone. Living on campus is supposed to bring memorable good times. It’s true—college dormitories are great if you want to “sow some wild oats.” But what if you’d rather just eat the boring variety while you study? What if you’re painfully shy? One thing is certain: dorms do provide unforgettable experiences.
Information to help you figure out where to go to college and what kind of career to pursue. We pull together different viewpoints and relevant research.
